MDC take the legal road

Can an emergency move in the High Court force Mugabe's hand?

Harare, Zimbabwe, Friday, April 4, 3.30 pm

After another morning with no sign of the Presidential election results, Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC has gone to court in an attempt to force the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to release the figures.

An emergency application has been lodged at the High Court for immediate publication of the results, although technically the ZEC has until midnight tonight to do so. At the same time the EC has added its voice to internation pressure, urging the Zimbabwe authorities to act as swiftly as possible.

One threat to the MDC has been removed today. It concerns Simba Makoni, the rebel Zanu-PF ex-minister standing as the third candidate in the election. There is, I'm informed, absolutely no prospect of him making things up with his old boss, Mugabe.

Makoni's spokesman, Ibbo Mandaze, confirmed to me today that despite attempts earlier this week to lure the candidate back into the Zanu-PF fold, Makoni will definitely back Tsvangirai in any runoff vote. "We have made our position clear, that we will come together as the opposition and fight against Mugabe." he said. And there was more good news for Tsvangirai's MDC.

The breakaway MDC faction will also campaign vigorously to support Tsvangirai. Leader Mutambara's spokesman Gabriel Chaibva, told me: "It is known that we are still brothers with the other MDC and we will fight together to dispose of Mugabe in the event of a run-off."

I have also learned that there was a blow for Tsvangirai yesterday afternoon when a planned secret meeting between him and seven of the country's top generals was called off at the last minute. Tsvangirai had hoped to reassure the service chiefs of their futures, which would include generous retirement packages for those who would not wish to serve under him.

It is not clear who ordered the generals not to attend the meeting, but the fact that some were prepared to come in the first place indicates that the rumours of rifts in the upper echelons of the Zimbabwe high command are true.

Normal life in Zimbabwe meanwhile goes on as before - that is, it gets tougher by the day. Latest indication of our financial melt-down comes in the shape of the new Z$50m note. Get hold of one of these, and you can go shopping with confidence, knowing that you have just enough to buy two small loaves of bread.

If you can find any bread.

Comments

[laura steiman]

President Mugabe brought the former Rhodesia back to its roots as an African nation free of the blight of colonialism. But his tactics following the liberation were brutal reminders that the spirit of love must triumph over hate if anyone is to be free. As a result Mugabe has brought his nation not up but to its knees. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose assassination we mark today after forty years taught that lesson of love, and his revolution will continue to inspire all who stand up and stand for love, justice and peace. Mr. Mugabe and his generals must learn that lesson, too, if not now then in a bloodbath that will blight his reputation forever. Please Mr. Mugabe, Step Down Now, for the love of your people.

[derek bevan]

Is Zimbabwe still a British colony ? are residents British!